Guest Post: Storage Auction Types

Today we’re featuring a guest post by Matt Schexnayder, one of Sparefoot’s marketing team-members. SpareFoot is the largest online marketplace for self-storage. With more than 5,000 self-storage facilities listed nationwide, SpareFoot offers consumers the most complete comparison shopping experience in the storage industry.

It has been a big part of the national moving and storage industry for over 3 years. Matt also writes for the SpareFoot Blog as well as a blog for self-storage facility operators at SelfStorage.com.

Storage Auction Types

With the recent popularity of shows like Storage Wars and Auction Hunters, more and more people are attending storage auctions. Storage auctions typically occur when self-storage units have been abandoned or a tenant has over stayed their agreed upon time limit. After that, the facility manager will hold an auction to the public allowing for people to bid on its contents. If you have never been to one, you should consider attending, it really is a lot of fun.

What most people don’t know about storage auctions is that there are two different types that can occur. The first involves auctioning off the contents of the unit as an entire package. Those bidding in these types of auctions will view the content from the front where the door opens or rolls up. Meaning that they can only make a bid on what they see and guess what might also be hidden beyond that (much like what is done on Storage Wars).

Typically, these kinds of storage auctions involve a professional auctioneer, but some managers do choose to handle their own auctions.

The second of the two storage auction types involves auctions of single items. These kinds do rely on a professional paid auctioneer to manage the process but also allow for the person bidding to get a good view of the items, which may or may not include some sort of vehicle or some premium merchandise like valuable antiques.

This type may also be combined with the first, where those premium items are sold separately while the rest of the items are sold in bulk.
Either way, there is a considerable opportunity to pick up some great stuff at a cheap price.

In smaller cities, for example at Colorado Springs storage facilities, auctions may not be held quite as often as in larger cities, but you should think about making the trip; it really is quite an experience. Just think of it as the modern approach to garage or yard sales and who knows, maybe you will come across some forgotten treasure.

-Thanks Matt! Be sure to check out Sparefoot.com if you’re looking for the best deals on storage in your area.

3 Replies to “Guest Post: Storage Auction Types”

Good post. Storage auctions can be interesting at times hearing all the story about people finding gold, cash, and really valuable items motivates one to participate in. And as for as the type of Auction, the ones seems most common is the “whole unit” auction these days at least here in California.
Anyway thanks for the post